California Here We Come

A 93-day adventure by Betty Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Footprints
Photos

California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 32
Friday, January 30, 2015 at 3:00 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 144 m
United States Agua Caliente Spring 33.830296, -116.54529233°49’49” N 116°32’43” W
Palm Springs
January 30, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Our last trail of the trip was the Andreas Canyon Trail. This was a scenic loop trail through the canyon and along Andreas Creek.
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 32
Friday, January 30, 2015 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 144 m
United States Agua Caliente Spring 33.830296, -116.54529233°49’49” N 116°32’43” W
Palm Springs
January 30, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
I set the camera on auto to take a group photo. But when I ran to take my place in the photo, I slid off the trail so this is why we were all laughing! We finished our hike at 4:45 so we made the deadline and our car didn't get towed.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 33
Saturday, January 31, 2015
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 144 m
United States Agua Caliente Spring 33.830296, -116.54529233°49’49” N 116°32’43” W
Palm Springs
January 31, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Hotel prices were ridiculously high, $200 and up, but I finally managed to get a $125 Hotwire deal just hours ago. The Saguaro was a very, very colourful hotel but clean and comfortable. Alyssa blended in with the decor! Then it was off to the airport for a tearful goodbye.

It felt very odd to drive back to the Carlsbad resort alone but I was familiar with the route having done it twice. I felt sad for a few hours and then forced myself to regroup. Is it possible to "regroup" a party of one?Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 34
Sunday, February 1, 2015
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 23 m
United States Saint Peters Episcopal Church 32.959489, -117.26531532°57’34” N 117°15’55” W
Del Mar
February 1, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
My home for the next 2 weeks is the L'Auberge Resort in Del Mar, an affluent city with a population of 4,200. There are only 12 timeshare units here adjacent to a very posh hotel resort. The beach is a 5 minute walk. My modern, 1 bedroom corner unit is bright and airy with lots of windows. I'm going to be very comfortable here.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 35
Monday, February 2, 2015
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 23 m
United States Saint Peters Episcopal Church 32.959489, -117.26531532°57’34” N 117°15’55” W
Del Mar
February 2, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
There are 2 grocery stores, Vons and Albertsons, that are both a 6.5 km walk. It wouldn't have been a difficult walk but there was one very long, steep hill that had to be conquered. It was downhill on the return which I was thankful for as I had a very full, heavy backpack full of groceries. My goal is to take a break from all of the stressful driving.

Typical of all oceanfront resorts, there is a train that runs between the resort and the beach. Fortunately they are short commuter trains and I got used to the rumble. I had a nice view from the balcony and could sit on my sofa in the living room to watch the sunset.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 36
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 23 m
United States Saint Peters Episcopal Church 32.959489, -117.26531532°57’34” N 117°15’55” W
Del Mar
February 3, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
It's all about the beach in Southern California. The Del Mar beach is roughly 4 km long with scenic bluffs. I was surprised to see the black sand. I walked the beach almost daily but really had to pay attention to the tides. During high tide it was mostly impassable. Low tide....utterly peaceful.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 36
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 23 m
United States Saint Peters Episcopal Church 32.959489, -117.26531532°57’34” N 117°15’55” W
Del Mar
February 3, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
My beach on a Sunday. Not quite as crazy as Grand Beach on a hot summer day. I preferred my beach on any day but the weekend.
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 37
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 23 m
United States Saint Peters Episcopal Church 32.959489, -117.26531532°57’34” N 117°15’55” W
Del Mar
February 4, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
The north section of the beach is referred to as "Dog Beach". From designer dogs to rescue dogs, they were all welcome to this off-leash beach and were a joy to watch. The city even provides specialized water fountains!Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 38
Thursday, February 5, 2015
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 23 m
United States Saint Peters Episcopal Church 32.959489, -117.26531532°57’34” N 117°15’55” W
Del Mar
February 5, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Surfers. They come in all ages, males outnumbering the females. The one thing they all have in common is that they are all fit and firm! I enjoyed watching them, surf that is, but it seemed like a lot of effort for a 5 to 10 second ride along the crest of the wave!Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 39
Friday, February 6, 2015
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 23 m
United States Saint Peters Episcopal Church 32.959489, -117.26531532°57’34” N 117°15’55” W
Del Mar
February 6, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
On my beach walks I also saw whale spouts, a baby seal, sand castles, and trains.
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 40
Saturday, February 7, 2015
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 23 m
United States Saint Peters Episcopal Church 32.959489, -117.26531532°57’34” N 117°15’55” W
Del Mar
February 7, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Amazing sunsets :-)
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 42
Monday, February 9, 2015
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 14 m
United States Swamis Seaside Park 33.036987, -117.29198233°2’13” N 117°17’31” W
Encinitas
February 9, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
I had not set foot in the car all week but decided I should probably get out and explore the area.

Last month as we were driving along the Coast Highway we came across a temple and wondered what it was. A clerk in the Art Gallery in Del Mar recommended that I go to see the gardens behind this temple, which was called the Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage and Meditation Gardens. It was a very peaceful garden with secluded areas where people were meditating.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 42
Monday, February 9, 2015
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 39 m
United States Balboa Park 32.734382, -117.14412332°44’4” N 117°8’39” W
San Diego
February 9, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Googlemaps predicted it would take 30 minutes to get to Balboa Park but the GPS took me straight through the city as I had directed it to avoid the I-5. An hour and 45 minutes later I arrived at Balboa Park! On the return trip I did take the I-5 and was home in 30 minutes. The traffic flow came to an abrupt stop just as I reached my exit. Happy to have avoided that.

Balboa Park is described as "A landscape of arts and culture". Many of the buildings originated from the First World's Fair in 1915. It is home to 15 major museums, performing arts venues, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. Because it took so long for me to get there, I didn't have time to go inside any of the museums. It was crucial that I leave the city before rush hour.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 47
Saturday, February 14, 2015
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 23 m
United States Saint Peters Episcopal Church 32.959489, -117.26531532°57’34” N 117°15’55” W
Del Mar
February 14, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Although I had good intentions of exploring more, the trip to Balboa Park ended that endeavour. I spent the rest of the week much as I had the previous week....walking about town, to the farmers market, and along the beach. It was a perfect 2 weeks of stress-free living :)

Look! See Betty read! Shocking, isn't it? :PRead more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 48
Sunday, February 15, 2015
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 13 m
United States Rotary Park 33.158093, -117.35059433°9’29” N 117°21’2” W
Carlsbad
February 15, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Moving day, a mere 25 km north to Carlsbad where I had booked a studio unit at the Hilton Mar Brisa Resort. What a major let down! A kitchen with only a microwave and bar fridge; no ocean view; paper thin walls; and noisy neighbours both beside and above me.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 49
Monday, February 16, 2015
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 13 m
United States Rotary Park 33.158093, -117.35059433°9’29” N 117°21’2” W
Carlsbad
February 16, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
The pool and landscaping at the resort is beautiful but the weather has been too cool for swimming (62 degrees). Next door to the resort is Legoland, an amusement park. GS would have loved this place 25 years ago!

I attended the Manager's reception and won a door prize....a bottle of California chardonnay and a free appetizer at a local Mexican restaurant :)Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 51
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 1:00 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 13 m
United States Rotary Park 33.158093, -117.35059433°9’29” N 117°21’2” W
Carlsbad
February 18, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
The past 2 days I've been exploring the neighbourhood. More big hills to climb but the area is very pretty. Costco is a l/2 hour walk, as is the Premium Outlet Mall. On my route was The Flower Fields, a 50 acre garden of Giant Ranunculus on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The attraction opens on March 1st and today it looked like they still had a lot of planting to do. One field has the American flag made with red, white and blue petunias.

When I returned to the resort I joined a wine tasting event that I was invited to by the Reservations Manager because of a mix-up in my reservation. Saved me $8 and the small group of 9 was fun, even though I was the odd number!Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 52
Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 13 m
United States Rotary Park 33.158093, -117.35059433°9’29” N 117°21’2” W
Carlsbad
February 19, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Today I walked to the nearby Museum of Making Music. It was founded by the National Association of Music Merchants so the focus was on the history of the manufacturing of instruments. Each of the 5 small galleries featured historic milestones, popular music and instruments of those eras. It was presented very nicely with lots of hands-on features. The admission fee was only $5 so it was an inexpensive way to spend a couple of hours.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 53
Friday, February 20, 2015
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 13 m
United States Rotary Park 33.158093, -117.35059433°9’29” N 117°21’2” W
Carlsbad
February 20, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
On my walks I always passed a huge building with the name GIA that had security officers posted at the entrance. My curiosity led me to Google the name and I learned that it was the Gemological Institute of America. They offer free guided tours so I reserved a spot. The GIA developed the international system for grading diamonds. Besides being an education institution for gemologists, they also train the FBI on how to identify stolen jewels and they offer an analysis and grading service to the general public. It was very interesting. There were exhibits on gems, as well as a special gallery showing of agate sculptures by a world renowned sculptor.

Then it was back to business as today was moving day. My next destination was Laguna Beach, 75 km north on the I-5. I dread driving on that highway! When Alyssa drove the I-5, I came home with a migraine. I watch the news every evening and I've begun calling the I-5 the "death-a-day freeway". The drive went smoothly though until I got to Laguna Beach and couldn't find the resort. My loveable GPS took me to Pacific Coast Highway North instead of South.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 54
Saturday, February 21, 2015
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 7 m
United States Laguna Beach Branch Orange County Public Library 33.542248, -117.7831133°32’32” N 117°46’59” W
Laguna Beach
February 21, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
My new home is on the 2nd floor of an older building, as all are in Laguna Beach, but it has been well maintained. It's an unusual layout with a long, narrow kitchen, living and dining area. The dining table is collapsed against one wall as there is a murphy bed on the opposing wall. The location of the condo is great because it's in the centre of town except it's on a hill top.

As expected, I was not assigned an ocean view unit as owners get priority. Instead I am facing the Pacific Coast Highway which has lots of traffic day and night. The speed limit is supposed to be 35 mph but that seems irrelevant to most drivers. I do have a huge balcony with a large BBQ that I may or may not use. Sitting on the balcony watching cars and trucks whiz by does not sound too appealing. I am in a corner unit so I do have a partial ocean view from one side of the balcony. It certainly isn't ideal but it is comfy.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 55
Sunday, February 22, 2015
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 7 m
United States Laguna Beach Branch Orange County Public Library 33.542248, -117.7831133°32’32” N 117°46’59” W
Laguna Beach
February 22, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Laguna Beach is in Orange County, midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, and extends for 7 miles along the coast. The city is a mix of beach action, boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

There was supposed to be a craft sale by local artists at the main beach today but it got cancelled because there was a 50% chance of rain and the temperature was only 16 degrees. The locals had their jackets and toques on! There is a really nice 2 km boardwalk along the cliff overlooking the beach.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 56
Monday, February 23, 2015 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 7 m
United States Laguna Beach Branch Orange County Public Library 33.542248, -117.7831133°32’32” N 117°46’59” W
Laguna Beach
February 23, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Laguna Beach is well-known as an artist colony. There are 3 or 4 fine art galleries in each block downtown. This one is on the main level of my building. Their love of art is evident everywhere I go. Hessler Park is along the beach walkway and has several sculptures and ceramics.Read more
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 56
Monday, February 23, 2015 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 7 m
United States Laguna Beach Branch Orange County Public Library 33.542248, -117.7831133°32’32” N 117°46’59” W
Laguna Beach
February 23, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Even the park benches have an artistic flair.
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 56
Monday, February 23, 2015 at 2:00 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 7 m
United States Laguna Beach Branch Orange County Public Library 33.542248, -117.7831133°32’32” N 117°46’59” W
Laguna Beach
February 23, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
And the public services have a unique style to them as well. The last photo was taken of a sign on the ground beside a manhole cover!
0 likes
California Here We Come Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 56
Monday, February 23, 2015
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 7 m
United States Laguna Beach Branch Orange County Public Library 33.542248, -117.7831133°32’32” N 117°46’59” W
Laguna Beach
February 23, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
This morning I spoke to the condo manager about the noise level from the 4 lane coastal highway that runs mere feet from my unit. He said there was nothing he could do. But I've driven 2,500 miles to be near the ocean, I pleaded. Well…..he called me a few hours later to say it was my lucky day. Someone had cancelled and he was moving me to an ocean front unit. Yay!! Now the only sound I hear is the crashing waves. In the beach photo below, my building is the closest one with the palm trees. Couldn't get much closer to the ocean than this.Read more
0 likes